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Reproductive health

Reproductive health
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Reproductive health. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Poppy Liu in front of a poster for the Hulu show Deli Boys in 2025. Photo: @poppyliu/Instagram
Fame and celebrity

Meet Poppy Liu, who plays Helen on Netflix’s His & Hers

After studying theatre and women’s studies at university, they started a sex-positive production company and acted in shows like Better Call Saul – they’re also a trained doula.

South Korea

South Korea’s record low birth rate leads to mass school closures

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Science

Sperm quality decline: could easy-to-use balm from China solve the crisis?

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Wellness

Love your baby bump? How to get a bespoke pregnancy sculpture in Hong Kong

Samantha Waterhouse was not able to capture her own unique curves during pregnancy, so now she helps other mothers-to-be preserve theirs.

Samantha Waterhouse, pictured here in 2021 when she was pregnant with her first child, has set up a bespoke pregnancy sculpture service that transforms a woman’s unique curves into pieces of art using 3D scanning technology. Photo: The Bump Collective
Wellness

Hong Kong Cancer Fund’s CheckMate scheme wants men to ‘check them’ and talk

The initiative launched this Movember promotes pre-emptive checks for and dialogue about male-specific cancers affecting thousands each year.

United States

US Supreme Court rejects appeal to overturn same-sex marriage ruling

The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, denied Kim Davis’s appeal after she refused to issue marriage licences to a same-sex couple.

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China's ageing population

State matchmaking and a PR blitz – is this the way to boost China’s birth rate?

The dramatic approach adopted by one city is attracting nationwide attention, but critics warn more fundamental policy changes are needed.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Wellness

Sol Menopause app offers information and tips for Asian women and employers

The Sol Menopause app addresses the lack of research into perimenopausal Asian women, offering guidance, tips and work solutions.

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Wellness

Breast cancer at 30, Hong Kong artist then met husband, became mum

May Yeung froze her eggs before undergoing radiotherapy, met her husband during successful treatment, and later gave birth to their son.

Wellness

What is chlamydia? The ‘silent STI’ that can cause infertility if untreated

Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted infection, is the most common STI in Hong Kong and can persist undetected for months or years.

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Chlamydia is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is the most common STI in Hong Kong. Photo: Shutterstock
European Union

Trump’s Tylenol autism claim dismissed by WHO, EU

The agencies refuted Trump’s claim linking Tylenol in pregnancy to autism, affirming its safety with caution.

US President Donald Trump delivers remarks linking autism to childhood vaccines and to the use of popular pain medication Tylenol for pregnant women and children. Photo: Reuters
Wellness

‘It took away my creativity’: Malaysian director on testicular cancer battle

Jared Lee, who made Cathay Pacific’s ads with Jimmy O. Yang, reveals how his diagnosis taught him about kindness and changed his perspective.

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Nordic nations

Denmark, Greenland apologise for historic mistreatment of Inuit women

Thousands of Greenlandic women and girls were fitted with IUDs without consent from 1966 to 1991.

The Philippines

Filipinos increasingly open to sex education as teen pregnancies, HIV cases rise

Three in four Filipinos support sex education, survey shows, despite religious opposition and disinformation campaigns.

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Three in four Filipinos are in favour of sex education, a survey shows. Photo: Shutterstock
Japan

Japan loses nearly 1 million people in 16th straight year of population decline

While the number of native Japanese fell by a record 908,000, foreign residents increased amid debate over immigration policy.

Pedestrians walk through a crossing at Shinjuku business and shopping district in Tokyo. According to government data, the country’s population decline accelerated due amid record low births. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's population

If preschool is free, will more have a baby? China to waive final-year tuition

State Council says that depending on an area’s fiscal strength, Beijing will fund at least half and up to 80 per cent of the total cost.

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Medicine

World’s oldest baby? US boy born from embryo frozen for over 30 years

The child developed from an embryo donated in 1994 and kept for 11,148 days, believed to be the longest storage time before birth.

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South Korea

South Korea reverses birth rate decline with its fastest growth in 40 years

In 2024, South Korea ranked among the lowest five nations in birth rates, according to the World Population Review.

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South Korea’s birth rate surged 6.9 per cent in early 2024, driven by increased marriages, reversing a decade-long decline. Photo: Shutterstock
United States

US Wisconsin court strikes down state’s 19th century abortion ban

The ruling leaves in place a 2015 Wisconsin law that bans abortion after 20 weeks.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Hong Kong’s breast milk bank offers best start to life

Initiative has proved to be a huge success, yet much more needs to be done to encourage those Hong Kong mothers who can to breastfeed their babies.

United States

US doctor who posted videos of decapitated baby must pay parents US$2 million

Jackson Gates was hired to do an autopsy after the child died during a difficult delivery and published the footage without permission.

Jessica Ross and Treveon Taylor attend a news conference at their lawyer’s office in Atlanta in February 2024. Photo: Atlanta Journal-Constitution via TNS
Wellness

Women’s longevity, heart health and more in focus at Hong Kong summit

Medical gaslighting, AI-driven tools also among topics to be examined by experts at the inaugural Women’s Health in Focus: A Global Summit.

Maaike Steinebach is the founder of FemTech Future, which with OM Health Hub and the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre is holding the inaugural Women’s Health in Focus: A Global Summit, in Hong Kong, from June 16-17. Photo: Maaike Steinebach
Hong Kong

Femtech top of agenda at women’s health summit in Hong Kong

Two-day symposium to highlight why supporting women’s health is not just a moral obligation but an economic imperative.

Japan

Japan faces ‘critical’ demographic crisis as birth rate hits historic low

Record-low births and an ageing population are driving Japan to implement urgent measures to encourage marriage and boost fertility rates.

Vietnam

Facing gender ratio crisis, Vietnam proposes tougher laws on sex selection

Officials warn Vietnam could have 1.5 million more men than women by 2034 without action.

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As Vietnam modernises, traditional preferences for sons continue to influence reproductive choices. Photo: AP
Wellness

Smoking risks beyond lung and heart, from colon cancer to genital warts

World No Tobacco Day is a good time to recall how smoking affects nearly every part of your body and causes or aggravates various conditions.

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A smoker with stained fingernails holds a cigarette. Photo: Shutterstock
France

Abortion pill inventor Etienne-Emile Baulieu dies aged 98

The French scientist helped create mifepristone, which provided a safe and inexpensive alternative to surgical abortion for millions.

United States

1 killed in ‘act of terror’ bombing at California fertility clinic

The FBI has launched ‘one of the largest bombing investigations’ in the area into the blast, which damaged the facility and nearby buildings.

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